US2156984A - Folding umbrella - Google Patents

Description

May 2, 1939. H. HAUPT FOLDING UMBRELLA Filed Oct. 2, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l May 2, 1939. H. HAUPT FOLDING UMBRELLA Filed 001;. 2, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 2, 1939. H. HAUPT FOLDING UMBRELLA Filed 001;. 2, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .7n venfor: /Vms Hau, y /r mo/@Mn y@ s Patented May ,l

Application October 2, 1937, Serial No. 166,915 In'l Germany October 5, 1936 15 Claims.

My invention relates' to improvements in folding umbrellas having telescoping stick and rib members and subsidiary braces or stretchers jointed with one of their ends to the main braces or stretchers and with their opposite ends-to an auxiliary runner which is freely vshiftable on the Istick and supports the frame in expanded position. One of the objects of the improvements is to provide an umbrella which is simple in construction and reliablein operation, and in which more particularly the umbrella' may be readily opened, closed and collapsed. Another object of the improvements is to provide an umbrella in which certain parts may be made from materials,

such as light metal which heretofore were objectionable in the construction of umbrellas.

When an umbrella of the class referred to is opened from the position inwhich the stick members are extended, by disconnecting the main runner from the lower spring latch and shifting the same upwardly, the rib sections are occasionally telescoped inwardly andinto collapsed positions, instead of being expanded outwardly, and

therefore it is necessary for opening the umbrella at first to move the ribs outwardly by hand. In my improved umbrella means are provided for preventing this additional operation by hand, and the said means are constructed so as to exert a certain temporary braking action o'n the auxiliary runner being shifted upwardly, the said braking action being exerted at the beginning or slightly after the beginning of the opening operation and being suilicient vto cause the main braces to be spread outwardly through the intermediary of 3 the auxiliary braces and thus to prevent collapsing of the rib sections. Practically the said braking means may be in the form of a spring pressed lug projecting outwardlly from the stick and adapted to be pressed inwardly by the auxiliary runner being pushed upwardly.

Other objects of the improvements will appear from the following description.

For the purpose of explaining the invention several examples embodying the same have been shown in-the accompanying` drawings in which the same reference characters have been used in all the views to indicate corresponding parts.

In said drawingsy v Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section showing a folding umbrella with the stick 5 jointed with their ends respectively to the outer rib sections 4 and a main runner B, and supple- (Cl. 13S-23) iary runner, Fig. 2c is a sectional plan view taken on the line 2c--2c of Fig. 2b,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on an enlarged scale showing another modification of the said braking'means,

Figs. 4 to 6 are similar fragmentary elevations showing modifications of the said braking means, the figures showing the braking means in different positions, Figs. 7 and 8 are fragmentary sectional ele- 10I vations illustrating another modification of the said braking means, the said figures showing the parts indifferent positions,

Fig. J9 is a sectional plan view taken on the une 9 9 pf Fig. '1, 15

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are fragmentary sectional elevations showing other modifications of the braking means, Fig. 13 is an elevation similar to thevone shown in Fig. 1 showing a modiiication ofthe umbrella with the stick members extended, the full lines showing the rib sections closed and the dotted lines showing the same opened,

Fig. 14 is an elevation showing the umbrella illustrated in Fig. 13 in collapsed position,

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on an enlarged scale showing the median part of the stick in extended position, and

lcomprises telescopic stick and rib members i, 2

and 3, 4 respectively, main braces or stretchers mental braces 'l jointed with their ends 8 and 9 respectively to the main braces 5 and an auxiliary runner i0. In the construction shown in the gure the upper stick member I is slidable within the lower stick member 2.

Fig. 1 shows the stick members extended, and

` the rib members closed. If it is desired to open the umbrella the main runner 6 is pushed upwardly. I have found that in this operation the rib members- 3 and 4 are frequently telescoped together, and therefore it is necessary, in constructions now in use, to spread the ribs outwardly in order to prevent such telescoping of the rib sections. In my improved umbrella means are'provided for automatically spreading the ribs outwardly, and as shown, the said means consist of a nose or lug Il which is in frictional engagement with the auxiliary runner I0, thus exerting braking action on the said runner when the main runner 6 is pushed upwardly, the said braking action beingsufllclent to prevent telescoplng of and to compel expansion of the frame of the umbrella.. 'I'he said nose or lug is carried by a v spring located within the stick member I and it projects through a slot made in the wall of the said stick member. The braking action begins immediately when the main runner 6 is pushed upwardly.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a modification in which the nose or lug Il' is located slightly above the auxiliary runner I0, so that the braking action begins immediately after the main runner has begun to move upwardly and before an unde sired telescoping of the rib sections together has begun.

In Fig. 2a I have shown another modification in which the. braking action is exerted on the auxiliary runner by means of the spring pressed locking member I2 provided for holdingA the sticky members in extended position, the said locking member being passed through slots made in the stick members and into frictional engagement with the auxiliary runner I0. The dimensions of the parts must be such that, with the stick extended and the umbrella in closed position, the auxiliary runner I0 is either in position for immediate engagement by the locking member I2 as is shown in the figure, or (analogously to the arrangement of Fig. 2) slightly below the said locking member.

In the construction shown in Fig. 1 the auxiliary runner is circular in cross-section, but I prefer to enlarge it at the side of the latch 1I on which the main runner is supported when the umbrella is expanded. This construction is shown in Figs-'2b and 2c. As shown in the said figures, the runner is bulged outwardly at 92. Thus, when the runner is shifted upwardly, the outwardly bulged portion 92 passes over the latch 1I. By thus enlarging the runner at the side of the latch 1I its diameter may be reduced, so that it has a close flt on the stick. It will be understood that also the runner I0 shown in the other figures may be similarly shaped.

The stick members are locked in extended position by means of locking devices which either are shifted by hand before the stick members are collapsed, or which, yieldingly held in advanced position, are forced aside by the collapsing movement of the stick members. The last named construction is more simple, but in constructions now in use it-is not satisfactory, inasmuch as considerable. force must be exerted for collapsing the umbrella, and inasmuch as, further, the connection between the extended stick members is not sufficiently stable. Another object of the improvements is to provide a locking device for the stick members which is more satisfactory in operation, and which connects the extended stick members to each other in a reliable way, and which can be readily released without requiring a special operation. With this object in view the invention consists in constructing the locking member so that it acts as a positive locking device when it is in fully advanced locking position, and which when shifted from locking position to an intermediate position of advance may by the powerful collapse of the stick members be shifted to fully withdrawn position'. Therefore the spring or other device for setting the locking member in locking position may be comparatively weak, so that the pressure needed' for collapsing the umbrella is small. Thus, when the umbrella is expanded the ystick members are connected into a perfectly rigid stick which is able to take up the pressure of the wind, while when the umbrella is closed the locking device may be operated by comparatively small power. The locking device then is suiiicient to hold the closed umbrella with the stick in extended position, but permits the stick members to be readily collapsed by hand.

In the construction shown in Fig. 3 the upper stick member Ia is the outer member of the telescoping stick, and it has the lower stick member 2a slidably mounted therein. The locking device for the stick members is in the form 'of a curved spring IZI which is supported at I3 and I4 on the wall of the stick member 2a. The said spring is formed at its upper end with a locking head which comprises upper and lower transverse faces I5 which are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the umbrella, and a bevelled portion I8, the said head being adapted for4 engagement with slits I6 and I1 made in the stick members Ia .and 2a. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 3 in full lines, the stick members are extended, and, the umbrella being closed, the subsidiary runner I0 is in position' around the lower portion of l the stick member Ia and covers the slits I6 and I1. The head of the locking member I2I is pressed inwardly by the runner Il) so that its bevelledportion I8 is vin position for being engaged by the upper end of the slit I6 when the stick members are telescoped inwardly. Thus it appears that as the umbrella is closed (the stick members continuing in extended position) the subsidiary runner I0, moving downward, engages the beveled portion I8 of the locking member I2I and readily pushes the locking member inward. When the umbrella is opened again, and the runner I0 is shifted upwardly, the head of the spring I2 I, then released, moves outwardly and into the position shown in broken lines. In this positionthe transverse or perpendicular end faces I5, I5 of the spring are in position for engagement with the upper and lower ends of the slit I6 of the member Ia. Therefore, when pressure is exerted on the expanded cover of the umbrella and the stick member Ia the upper end of the slit I6 bears on the transverse or perpendicular portion I5 of the spring I2I, so that no transverse or inward pressure is exerted on the head of the spring, and the stick members are positively locked in extended position. It appears therefore that theoretically no transverse force is necessary for holding the locking spring I2I in locking position, and that practically a comparatively small transverse pressure is sufficient for thus bringing the spring I2I lto locking position. When the umbrella is closed, comparatively small force is suflicient for holding the stick members in extended position, and therefore the power of the spring I2I may be comparatively weak. Thus, when it is desired to collapse the umbrella and to telescope the stick members inwardly comparatively small axial force is necessary. It appears therefore that the stick members are safely locked in extended posi' tion and that, notwithstanding this, small power is needed for collapsing the umbrella.

In the construction shown in Fig. 3 the spring 'I2I has the function slightly to brake the aux-v iliary runner Ill when the umbrella is opened, as

One arm 2I of the said lever is formed with a locking nose or lug22 which engages inthe slits I6 and I1 of the stick members I and 2. The

other arm 23 has acoiled spring 2| attachedV ed for positive engagement with the ends of the slit I1 and -a round or bevelled portion I8 which is adaptedto be engaged by the outer stick member 2 when the stick members are telescoped inwardly, after the subsidiary runner I has been shifted into the position shown in Fig. 5. The arm 23 of the lever 2I is not disposed perpendicularly to the axis of the stick. but at an acute angle thereto. Therefore, when the lever is turned from the position shown in Fig. 4 into those shown in Figs. v5 and 6, the length a: of the lever through which the spring 26 acts on the lever 2i is successively reduced, as is indicated in Figs. 4 tov 6. Therefore, though the tension of the spring 24 is increased somewhat, the moment exerted by the spring on lever 2@ is reducedmand therefore, when the stick members are telescoped inwardly, and the round portion I8 of the lever 20 is engaged by the lower edge of the slit I1, the pressure needed for pushing the locking nose 2i aside is small, and in the final position shown in Fig. 6 the moment exerted by the spring 2t on the lever 2b is further reduced,` because the spring and the lever are nearly in their dead center. Therefore, the pressure of the lever 20 on the inner wall oi' the stick member 2 and therefore the friction be tween the said parts is small.

In constructions now in use, and more particularly in such constructions in whichA the locking devices are shifted by the movement of the parts particularly when it is made from soft and light 4 metal. For this reason such locking devices cannot well be used in connection with frames made from light metal. By my improved construction described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6 this objection is obviated. the said figures showing a looking device which provides a reliable connection between the stick members, and which notwithstanding this does not lexert high surface pressure when the stick members are telescoped inwardly, the moment exerted by the spring 26 on the lever 20 being large when the lever engages .in the slits I6 and I1, and 4being reduced when the said lever has been pushed inwardly. The pressure of the lever 20 on the wall of the stick member 2 may be made as small as desired, by constructing the arm 23 and the spring 24 so that the said-parts approach more or less their dead center.

Preferably the lever 20 providing the locking nose or lug 22 is not made perpendicular to the axis of the stickbut inclined relatively uthereto. The security of the lock is not thereby diminishedfbut the pressure of the retracted lever on the inner wall of the stick member 2 is reduced, because the length of the lever 20 acting on the said wall is large. Preferably the said lever 20 is inclined at an acuteangle to the direction of the movement of the outer stick member.

My improved construction of the locking device shown in Figs. 4 to 6 is particularly valuable in such `constructions in which the inward'movement of the lever 20 is started by the auxiliary runner I0 being passed over the same. In this case the highest resistance needed for forcing the nose inwardly from the position shown in Fig. 4

into that shown in Fig. 5 is exerted by the auxillary runner, `while thereafter the resistance to 'be overcome by the stick members being tele-' scoped together is comparatively small.

The lever 20 has the additionalfunction of lexerting braking action on the auxiliary runner I0, as has been described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

In the construction shown in Figs. 7 to 9 the upper stickmember I is located within the lower stick member 2, and in 4this'respect the construction.is similar to the one illustrated 'in Fig. 1. A separate lever 21 is provided for exerting braking action on the auxiliary runner, while the lever 20I merely has the function' to lockv the stick members in extended position. The lever 20I is similar in construction to the one described withl reference to Figs, 4 to 6, and the same reference characters have beenused to indicate corresponding parts. Ihe lever 21 is mounted within the stick member I on a pivot bolt 20.

The inner ends of the arms 23 and 2.5i` of thev levers 20I and 21 are connected with each other by a spring 30 tending to turn the said levers outwardly. The lever 21 is provided with a rounded arm 32 projecting through a slit made in the stick member I and into position for braking engagement with the auxiliary runner I0, a nose 3i being provided for limiting'the outward movement of the arm 32.

The locking nose 22 of the lever 20I is' shaped so that it is pressed inwardly when the stick' members` I and k2 are telescoped together without requiring preliminary operation. By the inclined position of the arm 23the moment exerted by the spring 30 is reduced as the lever 20I is pressed v inwardly, as has been indicated by the letter fc, so that in the position ofthe parts shown in Fig. 8 the friction of the lever 20I at 26 on the inner wall of the Lstick member 2 is small, the said friction being further reduced by the inclined position ofthe arm 2i.

The pivot bolts I9 and 28 of the levers 20I and 21 are fixed to sheet metal brackets 33 formed at their ends with enlarged portions 34 having a length substantially equal to the inner diameter of the stick member I. These. sheet metal brackets are inserted into the stick member and iired in position by means of va rivet 35.

The constructions of the levers 20 and 20| de scribedwith reference to Figs. 4 to 9 permit the manufacture of the stick members from light metal, because the friction of the said levers sliding on the wall of the stick members is small. The wear of the stick member 2 Aby the levers 20 and 20I sliding thereon may be further reduced by making the said stick member from comparatively tough metal, such for example as steel or brass, while the other parts of the stick, and more particularly the stick member I is made from light metal. 'Ihis is particularly useful when the levers 20 and 20I and the springs attached thereto are not constructed so that the moment exerted by the-spring is reduced when the said levers are pushed inwardly.

When the stick members are made from light metal the end wall of the slit I1 bearing on the lever 20 or 20I is subject to heavy wear and for this purpose I'prefer to reinforce the said stick members 'as is shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12.

In theconstruction shown in Fig. 10 the lower by means of a spring 40. 'I'he stick members Ib and 2b are made from light metal, and the bottom end 44 of the stick member ib is reinforced by means of a sleeve 45 made from steel and held in position by means of the shoulder 43 provided between the portion 44 and the body of the stick member Ib, and an inwardly pressed ridge 46. 'I'he said sleeve may have a very thin wall, so that it does not increase the diameter of the stick member Ib. 'I'he sleeve is formed with a slit 48 corresponding to the slit 41 of the portion 44. 'I'he pressure of the spring-backed lever 39 is exerted on the sleeve 45. If it is desired to collapse the umbrella. the stick members are telescoped inwardly, and thereby the lever 39 recedes into the stick. The sleeve 45 is made from hard material, so that it is capable of taking u`p the pressure of the lever 39 .without being deformed thereby. Therefore the stick members themselves may be made from any desired material, because they are not subject to wear by the pressure of the lever 39, and the said members may be made from material which is safe as against corrosion.

and which has a small specific gravity. In

umbrellas now in use the force needed for collapsing the stick members is frequently 'reduced in course of time, while in other umbrellas of similar construction the resistance opposed by the spring latch is increased so far that it is hardly possible smoothly to collapse the umbrella, the cover of the umbrella being frequently injured by the sudden movement of the stick members. These objections are found not only in umbrellas in which the latches are yieldingly held in locking position, but also in such umbrellas in which locking means adapted to be pressed upon by hand are provided. In such umbrellasA the latch can frequently not be retracted any more after the umbrella has been used for some time. I have found that the reason for this objection is the wear of the wall of the slit engaged by the latch,

and in my improved construction this objection is.

obviated by reason of the durability of the said wall.

The reinforcement of the stick member by means, of a sleeve or ring is particularly reliable, because the force exerted by the lever is directed outwardly, and the sleeve is not subject to deformation by such outward pressure. Further, the pressure is distributed from the said sleeve over a large surface of the stick member.

While in Fig. 10 a slit 48 is provided, I wish it to be understood that my invention is not limited to this feature, and that the reinforcing sleeve 45 may be disposed so that the lever 39 engages the lower margin thereof.

The modification shown in Fig. 11 is similar to the one described with reference to Fig. 10, and the same reference characters have been used to indicate corresponding parts. As dis'- tinguished from Fig. l0, the bottomV end of the outer stick member Ic has the same diameter all through its length, andit is formed at a part remote from its bottom. end with an inwardly pressed circumferential portion 5|, and at its bottom end it is bent inwardly. TheA steel sleeve 45| is fitted internally of the stick member Ic and between the portion 5| and` the inwardly bent bottom end of the stick member, the sleeve being held in position by means of a depression 59.

In the construction shown in Figs. l0 and11l the slit 48, 41 of the rings 45, 45| is used.' not only for locking the stick members, but it also limits the outward movement of the telescoping members, and therefore it is subject to slight jars.

In the modification shown in Fig. 12 the upper stick member Id is reinforced by an outer steel sleeve 52 fixed in position on the reduced end 44 of the outer stick member Id. While in the constructions shown in Figs. 10 and 11 the levers 39 are in yielding engagement with theouter stick member Ib, Ic) a positive locking device has been shown in Fig. 12. The said positive locking device consists of a spring'53 which is located limited by an inwardly pressed ridge 55 made in the wall of the outer stick member Id and the enlarged top vend 56 of the inner stick member.`

In the constructions shown in Figs. 10 to 12 the spring engages not only the steel ring 45, 45| or 52, but also the wall of the stick member. Thereby the pressure on the steel ring is somewhat reduced, -while the strain on the stick member is not very high. Therefore the wall of the ring may be comparatively thin.

In Figs; 13 to 16 I have shown a modification in which all or a part of the inventions described with reference to Figs. 1 to 12 are embodied, and which in addition shows other improvements. As shown in the said figures the umbrella com prises two telescoping stick members 51 and 58 which are hexagonal in cross-section, and in which the stick members are adapted to be locked in extended position by a latch 59 which is similar in construction tothe locking levers 20, 20| and 39 shown in Figs. 4 to 11, and which likewise has the function of exerting braking. action on the auxiliary runner. The top part of the'lower or outer stick member 58 near the latch 13 may likewise be reinforced internally or externally, by a sleeve such as the sleeves 45, 45| and 52 described with reference to Figs. 10 to 12, it being understood that the stick members are made from light and comparatively soft metal, while th`e reinforcing sleeve is made from thin and hard e steel. Further, the stick member 58 may be made from hard metal such as steel, while the stick member 51 is made from light metal.

At its top the stick member 51 carries a crown 60 to which the inner rib sections 6| are jointed. The expanded frame is supported by means of main braces 63 which are connected at 64 to the outer rib sections 62, and by means of auxiliary braces 65 which are jointed at 66 to the main braces andat 61 to an auxiliary runner 68. The main braces 63 are jointed to the main runner 69 which is locked in position by means of springs vany braking action is prevented.

10 and, .f 1l respectively in closed and open positions 'of the umbrella.

Fig.,1`3 shows (in full lines) the umbrella in the closed position' and with the stick members extended. In this position the auxiliary runner 68 is located on the lower stick member58. When the .umbrella is collapsed the stick member 58 passes over .the upper stick member 51, the stick lmember 58 and the auxiliary runner 68 moving simultaneously in a direction towards the crown` 60. Since the .auxiliary runner 68 is located on the stick member 58 the upper edge 12 of the stick member engages the spring 1l before the runner 68 can come to engagement therewith. Therefore the spring 1I is forced into the stick member 51 by the stick member 58, and has no retarding action on the auxiliary runner 68.v

When thereafter the stick is again extended the spring 1| is held within the stick member 51, and

sition. Further, the invention is not limited to the construction shown in Fig. 13 in which the auxiliary runner is placed on the lower stick member 58.

The retarding action on the auxiliary runner is particularly objectionable when the stick members are being extended, and to avoid this it is suiicient that the auxiliary runner 68 be located on the outer stick member 58 when the umbrella is in collapsed position as shown in Fig. 14, and that it does not leave this position on the outer stick member before the spring 1i has been released from the stick member 5B.

The main runner 69 consists of an elongated tubular body which is formed with a slit through which the latch 18 passes outwardly when the stick members have been extended, as is shown in Fig. 13. When the umbrella has been collapsed the said tubular member forming the main runner is located within the hollow handle 13, where it presses the spring 10 inwardly, as is shown in Fig. 14. Above the union 15 the runner 69 -is elongatedat 16 so far that also in the collapsed umbrella the spring 10 is located within the said tubular member, ythe upper margin of the said tubular member being always located above the spring. Thus when the umbrella is extended, Since the spring 10 remains within the runner 69, 16 and is forced inwardly also when the umbrella is in collapsed-position, it is not necessary to force theA conical top end or to provide thespring at its i bottom end with a bevelled nose.

By reason of the said extension 16 the main runner may be used'for supporting the subsidiary runner 68 when the umbrella is in open position. As is shown in Fig. 13 indotted 'lines the upper margin 11 of the tubular extension 16 bears on the bottom side of the auxiliary runner and provides, a reliable support therefor holding the same in centered position. The same result may be obtained by `Aproviding the auxiliary runner at its bottom end with a tubular extension.

When the dimensions of the runners and other 5 parts of the frame of the umbrella are properly selected, such an extension of one of the runners may 4be dispensed with. In the construction shown in Fig. 1 the dimensions of the parts are such that when the umbrella is open the main 10 runner provides a support for the auxiliary runner, which is held betweenthe said main runner and the crown of the umbrella, as is shown in Fig. l in dotted lines. When the umbrella is opened the auxiliary runner engaging the crown 15 'provides a limit for the upward movement of the main runner.

The spring latch 59, asvshown in Fig.. 15, takes the form of a lever 13 supported within the stick at 18, the inner arm of the said lever having a 20 coiled spring attached thereto and the spring being anchored at 80. The nose 59 passes through aAslit 82 of the inner stick member, and when the stick of the umbrella is extended, it engages in a corresponding slit 83 of the outer-stick member, so that the stick members are locked as against axial movement in either direction.

"The slit 82 is located in an enlarged portion 84 of the inner stick member 51a by means of which the stick member is guided within the outer stick member 58a. The guide is further improvedby having the margin 85 of the stick member 58a bent inwardly.

The nose 59 locks the stick members not only as against collapsing, but it also limits the out- 35 ward movement of the stick members before the enlarged portion 86 engages the contracted por` tion 85. Therefore the said portions are spaced from each other when the stick is in extended position, and thereby wedging lof thevparts is 40 prevented. j

In all the constructions shown herein the braking devices such as the lugs or springs Il, i2, 20, etc., are operative only at the beginning of the upward movement of the auxiliary runner, and 45 thereafter the said runner has unimpeded movement on the stick so that the umbrella caribe easily opened and closed. l

, In the preferred constructions shown for example in Figs. 3 to 6 the braking device projects 50 from the outer stick member. 'I'his construction is preferred as compared to the constructions shown in Figs. 1 and 7 -to 9 in which the braking device projects from the inner stick member, because it is desirable that the auxiliary runner 55 have as far as possible a close iit on the stick. when it is subject to the braking action, and that alsothe length of the lever through which the auxiliary runner acts on the braking device be as small as possible. 60

I claim:

1. A folding umbrella, comprising telescoping stick and rib members, main braces connected with said rib members,A a main runner siidable on said stick members and having said main 55 braces jointed thereto, an auxiliary runner slidable on said stick, subsidiary braces connected respectively with said main braces and said auxiliary runner, and a braking device located in position for exerting braking action on said aux- 7 iliary runner substantially at the beginning of the movement of the frame composed of said ribv members, braces and runners from the closed position into the open position.

2. A folding umbrella as claimed in claim 1, in

, bers in extended position and projecting when said stick members are extended from said stick members into position for exerting braking action on said auxiliary runner.

4. A folding umbrella as claimed in claim 1, in which the said braking device projects from the outer stick member.

5. A folding umbrella, comprising telescoping stick members and ribs, and a device for locking said stick members in extended position projecting outwardly when in locking position and into position for engagement with said auxiliary runner, said auxiliary runner and locking device being constructed so that the auxiliary runner is adapted to start the releasing movement of said locking device.

6. A folding umbrella comprising ribs, telescoping stick members, braces, a runner to which said braces are connected, and a device for locking said stick members in extended position, the said locking device being adapted to project outwardly from said stick members, and an auxiliary runner adapted to move said locking device from the position for positive engagement into the position for yielding engagement with the stick members.

7. A folding umbrella, comprising ribs, telescoping stick members, and a power operated device for locking said stick members in extended position, said locking device being constructed so that the power tending to move the same into locking position is reduced when the locking device is being set from the locking position into releasing position.

8. A folding umbrella as claimed in claim 7, in which the locking device comprises a pivotally mounted locking lever and a spring attached to one end of said lever at an angle such that the moment exerted by said spring is reduced as the locking lever is being set from the locking position towards the releasing position.

9. A folding umbrella, comprising ribs, telescoping stick members, and a locking device mounted on one of said stick members and adapted for locking engagement with the other stick member, said other stick member carrying a reinforcing sleeve of a metal harder than the metal from which said other stick member is madein position for being engaged by said locking device.

10. A folding umbrella as claimed in claim 9, in which the reinforcing sleeve and the stick member carrying the same are formed at corresponding parts with'slits both providing supports for said locking device.

11. A folding umbrella, comprising ribs, telescoping stick members, one made from light metal and the other from comparatively hard metal, and a locking device carried by said stick member made from light metal and adapted for locking engagement with said stick member made from comparatively hard metal.

12. A folding umbrella, comprising telescoping stick andv rib members, a main runner, main braces connecting said main runner with the outer rib members, an auxiliary runner, auxiliary runner with the umbrella in open position, the

lower stick member having the upper stick member telescoping therein and having a length such that in the collapsed position of the umbrella the main runner engages said latch for forcing the same inwardly, and the dimensions of said braces being such that in the collapsed position the auxiliary runner is located on said lower `stick member and remains thereon when the stick is being extended until the auxiliary runner has moved past said latch.

13. A folding umbrella as claimed in claim 12, in which the dimensions of the stick members and the braces are such that alsoin the extended position of the stick the runner is located on the lower stick member.

14. A folding umbrella, comprising ribs, telescoping stick members, the outer stick member being of larger internal diameter'than the inner stick member in external diameter, and the outer and inner stick members being bent respectively inwardly and outwardly near their ends to provide guiding surfaces, and a device for locking said stick members in extended position and located s o as to lock said stick members as against axial movement in either direction in a position of the stick members in which the said inwardly and outwardly bent ends ofthe stick members are out of engagement with each other.

15. A folding umbrella, comprising telescoping stick and rib members, a crown fixed to the upper stick member, a main runner, an auxiliary runner,'main bracesv connecting the outer rib member with said main runner, auxiliary braces connecting said main runner with said auxiliary braces, and a latch in the upper stick member adapted to lock said main runner on said upper stick member when the umbrella is in open position, the dimensions of said main and auxiliary runners being such that in the said locked position the auxiliary runner is held between the main runner and the crown of the umbrella.

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